Good news!

Yesterday, my mother and I went to see my oncologist for a 1-week follow-up visit. I told the doc that my abdominal pains are all gone; that I can walk upright now without needing to bend over and clutch my stomach; and that I am no longer short of breath. He examined my stomach area. This time I didn’t wince in pain when he touched the right side of my stomach. After listening to me and examining my body, my oncologist announced that it looks like the tumor has gone down 10-20% after one round of chemo! I will have a CAT scan after the second round of chemo to confirm the reduction. My mom and I couldn't stop shaking the doctor's hand. We then hugged and cried after we left the doctor's office. My mom told me she was finally able to sleep last night for the first time in weeks after hearing the good news.

So at the same time that I have this wonderful news, I am now feeling the effects of the chemo. I tire very easily. I often have flu-like symptoms. Because my mouth is very tender, I can only eat very mild food. And yesterday, I got sick twice.

But now I am in such a better place emotionally than I was before the chemo treatment. Now I know my discomfort is actually part of my healing. Before the chemo, I was deteriorating on a daily basis. Everyday the pain, the shortness of breath and the night sweats would get worse. It was so frightening to know that I had something growing inside me that was literally killing me with my every breath. I would never wish this experience on anyone.

My next round of chemo will be on November 30. This time the treatment will be just one day. I remain (oddly) in good spirits. I actually like to throw up because I feel so much better afterwards, plus it feels like I am literally, physically, and cathartically purging the malignancy out of my body.